Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite coal regions of ...

120 Reports of the Inspectors of Mixes. [No. 10,
hoading Avorkings from less thsin 8,000 cubic feet per minute to nearly
2fi,000 cubic feet. Those improvements consist of walling up the five outer
chambers, as indicated bj' the blue stoppings at a, a, a, a, a, on the map.
This gave ample room for double doors, which are located at b, b. Then the
walled-up chambers are re-opened from the chamber inside of the doors,
as indicated by the dotted lines at c. Tliere is also an extra door at cZ,
which is onl3' to be used in case of accident to one of the others. This
arrangement carries the air forward, as shown b}' the blue line, into the
face of the heading, and through the chambers to the upcast. There are
other doors at e, e, e, which, with lines of stoppings in the entrances through
pillars connected with them, forces the air well on to the face of the work-
ings.
On the slope, which inclines only 3|^", two doors are put in at /",/", and
the current ventilating the slope workings now traverses the course indi-
cated by the blue line in that section. And there are other improvements
inaugurated to split the currents into four panels, which are to be credited
to John E. Evans, who Mr. Jermyn employed to take charge of the mines,
after the explosion, in place of David Birtley.
The place where Anthony Collins was killed is shown at H on the map.
The injured were Maux Phillips, (miner,) Gotlieb Mondt, (laborer,) Patrick
Barnes, (laborer,) William Lanyon, (miner,) J. W. McPeak and Luke
Burns, (drivers.)
Who were to Blnmel
First. John Jerra}^! was, in my opinion, very much to blame in that he
did not " employ a competent and practical inside overseer, to be called
mining boss," in order " the better to secure the ventilation of the colliery,
and provide for the health and safety of the men employed therein." (See
section eighth, act March 3, 1870.) I do not hesitate for a moment to as-
sert, in the most positive terms, that he did not have such a competent
mining boss, as required by law, in the person of either Samuel Baker or
David Birtley. Mr. Baker, however, is entitled to credit for the success-
ful manner in which he managed the sinking of the two shafts, and I freely
accord him the credit due him, and as a sinker I would recommend him
with the greatest pleasure ; but that he is not well posted enough in min-
ing to manage a colliery successfully any expert can see by a simple glance
at the map of the workings of the Jermyn Green Ridge shaft.
Secondly. Samuel Baker was to blame in that he disregarded the orders
of the inspector. lie had no excuse for ignorance, for that had been
swept away by my instructions. And he was very much to blame in that
he did not post himself in the requirements of the law, so that he could carry
out its provisions.
Thirdly. David Birtley was to blame because he did not comply with
the law, when, according to his own sworn testimony, he kneiv what the
law required. His plea of want of time is a very lame and weak one, for